Biographies: John Joseph YARABECK, Vance Creek Township, Barron Co., WI ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor, or the legal representative of the contributor, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Victor Gulickson 25 October 1999 ==================================================================== John Joseph Yarabeck, an estimable citizen who has lived for about a quarter of a century in section 16, Vance Creek Township, was born in Austria Nov. 11, 1854, the son of John and Susie Yarabeck, also natives of that country. There was one other child, Mary, in the family. Born of a poor, though worthy, family, in a region oppressed with despotism, John Joseph received no education, but had to start work while still a child. As a young man he was married in Austria to Mary Zuhrance. In 1884 he came to America, bringing his wife and children. He lived in various places and was employed at different occupations, principally in the lead mines of Missouri, and in the iron mines of Michigan. In 1895 he came to Barron County and located on a tract of 80 acres in section 16, Vance Creek Township. When he reached here this neighborhood was jokingly called "no man's land," for although other portions of the town had been developed, there were no roads and no buildings, and the tract was covered with heavy timber. At first he built a small shack 1.6 by 20 feet. Then he put up a log cabin 18 by 24 feet, to which he later made an addition, 16 by 20 feet. He was almost without tools, and after he had a little clearing made, he had to get in his first crop with a grub hoe. The first year he got two cows, and it was a little later before he managed to buy an ox team. He brought provisions on his back from far-away stores. Sometimes he became confused and lost his way. Once he was lost in a storm and did not find his trail home for three days. Thus through hardships and privations he toiled ahead. His wife and his children, as they were able, helped and soon the wilderness began to be transformed into a farm. Mr. Yarabeck was one of the first men in this locality to use dynamite to get out the stumps. At that time dynamite was not so extensively used for farming purposes as it is now, but he had become an expert in explosives while engaged in mine work and he therefore found no trouble in using the dynamite to clear his land. The big fire of 1898 swept his place, but undaunted, he set to work again, and soon bad brought order out of the ruins. He added to his farm from time to time until he owned 240 acres. He now has 160 acres. He has a comfortable home, a good barn 62 by 32 feet, and other suitable buildings. While gradually developing his farm he successfully carried on general farming and dairying for many years. In 1920 he retired and turned the place over to his son, Frank, but still lives here. He is a man much esteemed by all who know him. Although without early schooling he has acquired and retained a broad knowledge by reason of a retentive memory, he is of good judgment and clear reason, and his opinions are heard with respect. He and his good wife had twelve children: Mary, John (who died in Austria), Joseph, Anna, Frank, William, James, Albert, Alma (died Nov. 28, 1909), Susan, Josie and Emma. Mrs. Yarabeck died Nov. 9, 1918. --Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co., 1922, pp. 495-496.